Kenya Venture Team

Situation.  Data recorded on 2/8/07 prior to going to Kenya during year two of the project.  Each team member was asked to email a paragraph about their roles/contributions and about their individual needs.

My role/contributions for the team:
I feel my role is to be a representative of my team (H2Oasis) since
not everyone could travel. Jake and I will be testing soil properties
and doing a pan evaporation test that will be used in the completed
math model. We will also be gathering information on costs and
materials that are available nearby. Mark and I have also been
discussing the possibility of doing water quality tests while in
Kenya. A meeting has been set up with Jan Boll. If possible, I hope
that all students traveling will be able to contribute to each others
experiments, even if we all are not on the same senior design team.

My Individual needs/wants/hopes for the trip:
My number one priority is the project, of course. Other than that, I
am looking forward to a completely new experience. I do not really
have any needs/wants/hopes other than: I HOPE I have a great time and
I do not WANT to get sick.

My Role: Communicate a beautiful vision for success (i.e. sustainable safe water for Maasi; capture of knowledge so that it can be reused).  Be an energizer for all team members, for the team as a unit, and an advocate for the success of the trip and the two capstone projects. Build and strengthen relationships with key people in the US, in Kenya, and in Tanzania.  Together with my people, identify all key problems that need to be solved for long term success .

My Needs/Wants/Hopes. I want to walk my talk and my values.  I need each team member will have a positive, can-do attitude and will have fun! Each team member will treat all people with respect, diginity & honor.  Each team member will assume personal accountablity for our collective success, will produce outcomes that add value, and will document their work on the wiki.  Each team member will exemplify professionalism in all aspects of what we do.  I want to capture many photographs.  I want to build long term relationships with people.  I want to know and understand and value the culture of peoples of Kenya, especially the Maasi.

Contribution to Team

I will be an active observer on the team. I will videotape the critical activities, experiences and impressions of the Kenya 2007 Venture.  I plan to capture sights and sounds of the culture, the landscape, and the impact of this unique experiential learning opportunity from different perspectives.

The second part of my contribution will be storyteller. I will be writing and editing the images, footage and interviews into stories of UI involvement, student experiential learning, the science of clean water, the Masai people, the impact of this research and what's next for this project. We have numerous stories to explore...

The planned products are:

• TV news stories released for Idaho broadcast.
• TV news stories released for national broadcast.
• Informational program (longer format) non-broadcast for general awareness, fund raising, grant reporting, civic group presentations, Alumni relations, poster sessions, etc.
• Streaming video clips (UI and Departmental web pages)
• File footage for future video project(s)
  

Secondary products:

• Still photos - UI magazine, Programs & People magazine (CALS), Web use
• UI student recruiting (video & stills)
• Far West Film Festival (possible entry,  Don's idea )
• In-class experiential learning models (Don’s idea)
• Others (to be determined)
  

Needs

1.  I will need 15 to 20 minutes of everyone's time to conduct an on-camera interview in the field (time and place to be determined). I will try not to interfere with the limited time at the demonstration sites, but everyone (including myself) will need to be a little flexible to accommodate this request.

2.  Primarily, I will need to be invisible to the Kenya Venture team when filming. Pretend I'm not around and don't be affected by the camera. Sometimes I get very close to subjects when I shoot, but for the most part, just ignore my presence. There are times when I/we will have 'fun' with the camera, but those will be obvious to everyone...

3.  I may occasionally need help with a tripod or piece of video support gear. I shoot quite a bit off the shoulder, so there will be times I need someone to 'keep and eye on' and safeguard equipment not in my immediate use.

4.  Following Eric's recommendation, I may need to move towards the front of our group at customs in Kenya. Eric feels it might be more 'trouble free' if I enter earlier with the video and camera equipment, to observe (along with the rest of the group) the security/x-ray procedure and answer questions about 'purpose, role & mission' that most likely will arise. If any one piece of gear is confiscated, it could jeopardize huge portions of the media side of this project. I will defer to the groups decision on this.

I want and hope:

• the project has a positive impact for the Masai people.
• to experience a new country and culture.
• to meet and work with other UI colleagues and students.
• to contribute in a positive way to the group during, and after the trip.
• the project has a positive impact for all of us personally and professionally.
• to have a great time during the entire journey!
  

Nick Mendenhall 

Role/Contribution
I am taking the role of student travel leader. I would like to be a
source of information for other student travelers. My contribution
can be in the form of engieering knowledge and traveling
ediquette/knowledge. I will also contribute by teaching as many
maasai as possbile to build the filters mark and I have designed.

I will also contribute by acting as right hand man to mark and other
bio students in testing water quatlity and producing statistically
legitimate data.

I will be producing useable documentation pretainting to culture
accpetance of filters and how the maasai interact and use the filters.

I would also like to produce useable documentation that suggest other
filter options. I have a feeling we will have a better idea of design
solutions once we visit and interact with the maasai.

NEEDS
bio test kits - see mark and kristina needs

statistically valid data that measures bio content and turbidity of
water in the Kgong hills

Useable documentation from myself and other students that relates
filter and maasai compatibility.

New design concepts brought about by maasai interaction

Materials to build other filters.

Wants
a pleasant and safe trip

Hopes
SAFARI!!!!

Mark Rogers

Activities list for field work in Kenya--Water Quality Control Tests:
To be done with the aid of Kristina and Jake from team H20asis.

• Direct Microscopic Counts
• Total Coliform Counts
• Fecal Coliform Counts
• Biological Oxygen Demand
• Chemical Oxygen Demand
• Enterococcus test

Not all tests must be done.  Coliform testing, fecal coliform testing and direct microscopic counts are most important.  Laboratory procedures have been drawn for most tests, materials can be ordered through a subsidiary of Hatch chemical in Nairobi, Kenya.

Prototyping: To be done with Nick and Whitney.

• Barrel prototype: Obtain materials, fabricate and build it; more than one if possible. 
  
• Gourd prototype: I will be taking a gourd prototype with me.  If gourds are available then construction of more is possible.  
• Clay Prototype: Obtain materials for clay prototype, fabricate and build several.